Georgia begins its second week of advance voting on October 19 after setting a midterm opening-day record, with another two weeks of scheduled voting before the November 3 election. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s October 14 release reported more than 188,600 in-person ballots on October 13. GPB’s report independently documented the announcement and the October 30 early-voting end date.
The secretary’s office put opening-day in-person participation at more than 53,000 above the comparable first day in 2022. That is a dated comparison, not the number of Georgians who have voted as of today. The office separately reported accepted absentee ballots; those should not be added to an in-person comparison without clearly changing the measure. The official release identifies both categories, while the state’s turnout hub labels its running information unofficial.
Where and when to vote
The 2026 calendar sets advance voting from October 13 through October 30. Recorder reporting explains that each of Georgia’s 159 counties offers an early-voting location and that voters can use any advance-voting site within their own county. They are not restricted to their Election Day precinct during that period.
The secretary of state’s voting guide describes three weeks of early voting, including two Saturdays, with counties permitted to offer Sundays. That does not mean every site operates identical hours. Voters should use My Voter Page or their county election office to verify the specific location, date and hours before traveling. ANF’s guide describes how to find those local schedules. The official guide also explains that My Voter Page is a search tool using statewide data, while the county registration office retains the official registration record. Voters seeing a discrepancy should contact that office.
Identification and Election Day rules
For in-person voting, the state’s ID guidance lists accepted photo identification, including a Georgia driver’s license even if expired, a valid U.S. passport, qualifying military or tribal photo ID, and student ID from a Georgia public college or university. The list is specific; a voter should not assume every card with a photograph qualifies.
The same official guidance says eligible voters without an accepted form can obtain a free voter ID through a county registrar or Department of Driver Services, subject to documentation requirements. Those requirements are published on the state page. Voters needing an ID should check them before visiting an issuing office.
Election Day uses different location rules. On November 3, voters normally go to their assigned precinct, rather than choose among advance-voting sites. The official guide sets Election Day hours at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and says voters in line by closing may still vote. ANF’s reporting reinforces the precinct distinction. For residents planning this week, the immediate task is checking the correct county schedule—not treating a turnout headline as either a polling-place timetable or an election result.
